The king of clay is getting his feet dirty preparing for red-clay return.
Rafael Nadal returned to the practice court today aiming to launch his 2022 clay season at the Mutua Madrid Open starting on May 1st.
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"After four weeks without stepping on a tennis court, first light training," Nadal posted on Twitter.
The Australian Open champion was forced to withdraw from this week's Barcelona Open due to a fractured rib he sustained in the third set of his three-hour Indian Wells victory over Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz.
The fourth-ranked Spaniard has also spent time watching and mentoring the juniors at his Rafa Nadal Academy.
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook